Latest from NZ National Party

Euthanasia in NZ given 'orange light'

Government should proceed with legalising assisted dying only if strong safeguards are in place, the human rights watchdog says.

One-night-stand penalty may be wiped

A brief liaison with a man she didn't know cost a young Auckland woman $28 a week off her benefit for two years.

Iwi seek Kermadec compromise with Govt

Iwi are seeking a compromise over the Kermadec Ocean Sanctuary in which they will agree not to fish in the region if their Treaty

Child sex offender register created

Parliament has voted overwhelmingly in support of a child sex offenders register today - but it won't be available to the public.

Rising housing costs driving inequality, Govt reports shows

The gap between rich and poor is growing in New Zealand, new data shows, partly driven by rising housing costs.

Housing quick-fix turns into shambles

Housing Minister Nick Smith is accusing Labour of immaturity after they hijacked his urgent changes to housing policy.

Govt will back new housing limits - Key

Prime Minister John Key says he will back the Reserve Bank to introduce further controls on housing demand if house prices continue to rise.

Nikki Kaye: From history-making MP to Cabinet Minister

Nikki Kaye entered Parliament in 2008 as the National Party's first-ever Auckland Central MP, claiming an electorate which had been held by left-leaning parties for 90 years.

Rugby stars lobby against Easter changes

Pacific MPs are coming under pressure from former All Blacks to vote against changes to Easter trading laws.

Govt eye seizing property for housing

Landbankers could have property seized by the Government if the land is within certain areas marked for housing development. Housing

Editorial: Big worries for Nats to dwell on at conference

Serious social imbalances take shine off good performances in polls and economy.

Battle lines shaping up midway to polls

Halfway through the third term, National remain in a strong position. Audrey Young assesses key rivalries and what Labour needs to do in next 18 months.

Claire Trevett: National keeps tax cut card in back pocket

COMMENT: It is not often that the big surprise in a Budget is something that will not be in it at all.

Editorial: PM to blame for sloppy trust affair

When the PM's personal lawyer approached him about a report in the Herald that Inland Revenue was changing its attitude to foreign trust funds, John Key says he told him to "go and see the [revenue] minister".

Claire Trevett: National's five new taxes

Not so long ago, when trying to capitalise on Labour's campaign against housebuyers with Chinese-sounding surnames, John Key did not believe any measure was warranted, writes Claire Trevett.

John Key's secret flag donor luncheon

John Key was the star guest at a private fundraising lunch for Change the Flag lobby group in a last-ditch bid to raise cash from wealthy Chinese donors.

Toby Manhire: 'Jihadi brides' apology needed

COMMENT: Key and Kitteridge owe us all, and NZ Muslim women especially, an apology.

Breakthrough on zero hours victory for all

The Labour Party is justifiably celebrating a victory on legislation to end "zero-hour contracts" even if it is victory on a fine point of law.